Zarreth stops pacing and moves toward me. He’s been wound up all week, barely blinking, barely breathing, eyes always locked on me. Even the falkyrie learned to stay away, fewer and fewer showing up to train as the days passed.
“This should be good. The thick-skulled demon thinks he knows more about light magic than we do,” Brynn says, sheathing her sword.
Zarreth shoots her a sharp look. “I know my mate. That’s all I need.”
The edge is gone the second his eyes find mine, softening when his hand rests on my stomach. “Just let it all go. I know you worry the darkness will spill out if you do, but you have to trust yourself. Find your light, the one that makes you,you. The one that will never go away because it’swho you are. Nothing will change that. Not even your own darkness.”
“Okay,” I nod, letting my eyes slide shut. I picture the tenderness on Zarreth’s face when I told him about the twins. The way he was about to break in the best way possible. Images of him chasing little toddlers through the yard flash through my mind. Their laughter spills through the air when he stomps toward them, growling like a ridiculous monster.
Heat pools under my ribs, climbs into my shoulders, and down my arms. I open my eyes. A faint golden shimmer trickles up the sword’s groove, like sunrise breaking through fog.I did it!
Zarreth doesn’t let me sheath my sword before he picks me up and spins me around. “I knew it!”
Brynn smiles. “Well, look at that. You’ll be ready for the portal in no time!”
“We don’t need to think about the portal right now,” Zarreth snaps, setting me on my feet.
I cross my arms, my eyes flicking to his. “What do you mean we don’t need to be thinking about the portal? That’s what all of this is for.”
“The portal isn’t going anywhere.” His gaze lands on my stomach. “It can wait for a more appropriate time.”
“This is the appropriate time. It’s the only time. Jess is dying…or changing.” I’ve been trying to cut him some slack for being so overprotective. I know it’s the mating bond making him so much more possessive now that…well, now that the future is different. But he’s out of his mind if he thinks I’m going to wait to stabilize the portal.
His hand rubs over my stomach. “She’s not the only one who’s changing.”
I lean in, keeping my voice low. “You act like there’s another choice. Do you really think I want to do this? Risk the life we’ve barely had the chance to start? It’s the only way. I will not give up on Jess, and I won’t be responsible for the fall of two realms. I will not be the Realm Eater! This is my fate. I can’t avoid it. I’ll do it with or without you.”
His nostrils flare as his hand wraps around my braid. Keeping my face tilted toward his, he lowers his voice. “Don’t think for one moment that I would let you face this alone.”
I hold his glare with one of my own. “Then quit acting like you’re going to stop me.”
He releases my hair, bringing his hand to my cheek. His touch is tender now, but his expression tells me he’s not going to drop the subject for long.
“Hey, firefly?” Kara calls from the building adjacent to us, breaking the tension.Thank God!“I could use your help planning the best strategy to corral the beasts.”
I try not to giggle at the nickname, not wanting to worsen his bad mood. “I’m surprised you need help from a thick-skulled demon!” he calls back.
Kara shrugs a shoulder. “We may not trust your kind, but I’m no fool. Your fire abilities—and your experience as a commander—are very useful.”
I sigh, relieved when he makes his way to the building, thankful Kara found a way to distract him. Maybe I can actually get some training done.
It’s not long before I spot their silhouettes in the window, both bent over a map. Kara doesn’t seem the least bit concerned with his overbearing attitude, and I think he secretly enjoys mapping out a defense. He’s in his element, thank God.
I spend the rest of the afternoon trying to summon my light magic without making Brynn’s eyes bleed. She insists it doesn’t bother her, urging me to keep going even though she tenses up every time smoke crawls up my arms. I almost feel bad, but she’s the one who won’t let me wear the light rock.
By the time we’re done, I’ve managed to light up my sword two times. Of course, that was only after killing every crystal flower around me. Not exactly the kind of growth I was hoping for, but it’s still progress.
CHAPTER 32
Zarreth
The hall smells of wood-smoke, roasted meat, and spilled mead. Falkyrie are singing and shouting over the clash of mugs. I’m sitting at an old wooden table with my back to the stone wall. Frankie’s laughing at something Kara says. She seems happy here, in the Light Realm. Her smiles are brighter, not forced like they were before.
A voice calls down the table, “Long way from the rivers, isn’t it?”
The Kelpie next to me snorts, lifting his mug. “Aye. The fish have gone skittish ever since the portal started bleeding through the rivers. Figured it was either come up here for a proper meal, or stoop to begging for scraps at the fae’s table. I’d rather starve.” He elbows me like we’re good friends. “You know what I mean?”
My gaze drops to his elbow, then to his face. He flinches and quickly picks up his plate, moving to a different table.
